Removal of Pre-payment Meter

jimhow

Can anyone tell me if it's easy to get a PPM removed from a property and what the cost would be? We're moving into a rented property and it has one fitted.

mumonashoestring

You could ask around a few utility suppliers - British Gas changed ours for a normal meter free of charge when we signed up for a contract with them, and at the time their prices were competitive. Once your contract ends you can then shop around for a cheaper contract as usual

duchy

If it's rented property you'll need your landlord's permission

Inspectorman

If your landlord OKs it, you can sometimes get it for free but the going rate is around £55 per meter.

Joyful

Unless you have good credit with a previous supplier it will depend on how good your credit rating is. Even then some will charge and some will not so ask around.

chanz4

Nothing todo with the landlords, as its not their meter.

Terrylw1

Have a look on here.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity

As Chanz says, nothing to do with the landlord. If you are paying for the utilities you have the right to change suppliers and payment methods.

The only time landlord permission is required is when something could impact TV's structure e.g. additional drilling/wiring to fit a PPM collector wired to the downstairs main meter. Or moving the meter which has required internal property wiring work.

Callie22

We did this in our current property - we were lied to about the key meter, couldn't get it taken off economy seven and ended up losing half of everything we put on it because of an old debt, no matter how many times we called. The meter was with Eon who said it would be £50 to change it, but Southern Electric (our old company) said they'd do it for free, so we went back to them.

I don't give a damn what my landlord says about this - they left it with a debt and unless they're paying my bills, they have no right to dictate how, when and to whom I pay them. If they kick off about it I'll just send them a bill for all the money I lost topping up an indebeted key!

macman

You may also have to pay a lump sum deposit on a credit meter for the first 12m.

jimhow

We've never had any debt issues with energy companies so that shouldn't be a problem. The place is perfect and we don't want to miss out because of this, but I've heard a few horror stories about people being stuck with theses things and having to pay off massive debts that aren't theirs. It may not be that much of a problem, but we're gonna be pretty broke as it is with out paying off someone else's bad debt!

So the landlord only needs to be consulted if it affects anything else in the house?

macman

You don't pay anyone else's debt-you obtain a new key when you move in.